Baptism

Can I or my child be baptised at St Margaret's?
We are delighted to conduct baptisms for adults and children who, after proper preparation, decide it is right for them or their children.

What is involved for infant baptism?

Baptism takes place in one of our regular Sunday services at either 9am or 1045am.  So the first step to preparing for the baptism of your child is to come along and worship with us and get to know the community of the church which your child will be baptised into.
After you've introduced yourself at church and become a regular worshipper with us on a Sunday, we will send you a form to complete and a booklet entitled “Making the most of your child’s baptism”.  We will also arrange a visit by one of our team or clergy where we spend some time talking through what you believe and discussing the promises made in the baptism service.  We find that the preparation gives understanding about baptism and also helps families to get to know us and vice versa. With infant baptism, parents and godparents have to make important promises before God: promises to be followers of Jesus Christ, to teach children about the Christian faith and to bring your child regularly to church.  Ideally both parents are willing to make these promises. If not we ask for the agreement of both to go ahead with the service.
After this initial meeting a member of the team will be in touch to arrange the date of baptism and to answer any remaining questions you may have.

Godparents

Choosing Godparents for your child is exciting and a lovely way of drawing special friends into your family.  Godparents also make the promises and decisions in the service and receive a certificate to confirm their new role!  Please note that your chosen Godparents need to have been baptised themselves before your child’s baptism.
 
What if we decide we can't make the promises?

All is not lost! We can offer a service of Thanksgiving for the birth of your child. In this service we thank God for your child, and ask for his blessing for him or her. You can have sponsors, and we will give you a certificate to mark the occasion. This service does not require you or the sponsors to make any promises.

 
We live outside the parish - can we still have our baby baptised?

Most baptisms are for people who either live in the parish or who are regular worshippers with us (or both).  Ideally people live locally or intend to make St Margaret's their home church. If you live a long way away we encourage you first to give proper consideration to using your local church.
 
What about baptism as an adult?

Young people and adults are also welcome to be baptised if they would like to be – you are never too old!  Again, please contact Hasmita Vickars or a member of the leadership team in church on a Sunday.  Preparation looks slightly different but you will still receive a visit from one of our team to talk through the promises made during the service.
 
Where can I get more information about baptism?

Our baptism co-ordinatior, Hasmita Vickars is the first point of contact for all queries.  You are also welcome to chat with clergy and other church leaders when you come to the church for services.
 
The Church of England offers more general information about baptism.